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 Sirgazhi is famous for its association with Thirugnanasambandar, who offered the Tamil Veda of 'Thevaram'. For it was here that Sambandar received the milk of knowledge.
Lord Siva assumes the form of a Guru ('Gurumoortham') and blesses His devotees with knowledge. He is also present in the form of 'lingam' (Lingamoortham) and makes His presence felt everywhere. He assumes the form of 'Sangamamoorthy' in Sirgazhi, in addition to the above mentioned forms. He is known by the name of 'Periyanayakar' and His consort is 'Periyanayaki' in the Gurumoortham form. Lingamoortham was established by Lord Brahma.
Sangamamoortham has an interesting story behind its formation. It is believed that after slaying
a demon, He wore the demon's bones as His skin and his skin as His dress. He is also called Sattainathar. In the temple inside the Yogasthanam, there are eight idols of Siva as follows: Sudanthra Bhairavar, Pichaiya Bhairavar, Loka Bhairavar, Kala Bhairavar, Ugra Bhairavar, Suyechai Bhairavar, Nirmana Bhairavar and Bishna
Bhairavar.
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There are 22 theerthams in the temple. The most important among them are as follows: |
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Brahma
Theertham: This spot is blessed, for this was where Thirugnanasambandar honoured Saivites by offering the procedures of worship of God. |
| Kali
Theertham: It was here that Kali decided to drop Her vengeance. This is called Kari kulam now. |
Parasara
Theertham: Water from this tank is used for performing 'abhishekam' to the main deities in the sanctum sanctorum.
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Purava
Nadi: This tank is in the shape of a pigeon, and the water for the same is brought from the river
Cauvery.
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| Kazhumala
Nadi: Agastya is believed to have brought the water for this tank, from his
'kamandalam'. Vinayaka, according to legend, assumed the shape of a crow in order to protect the Nandavanam of
Indra. He upturned the kamandalam of Agastya, and this tank was born (a tributary of the Cauvery fills the tank). |
Other theerthams are Vinayaka
Nadi, Sula Theertham, Vaishnava Theertham, Rahu Theertham, Azhi Theertham, Sanga
Theertham, Sukra Theertham, Agastya Theertham and the like.
 'Parijatham' is the sthala vruksham. The place is very famous as a place of knowledge, blessed by
Thirugnansambandar.
The history of the temple, according to one version, is that, once, all the land masses of the world were under water. In order to create more human beings and to restore life to the planet earth, the Lord came as Umakesavar in a boat. It so happened that only this place did not sink under water, and came to be known as the
'Mooladhara kshetram'.
Worship is offered six times a day in the temple everyday,. During the Tamil month of Chithirai, Brahmotsavam takes place. For the Consort, Thirunilainayaki, there is an Aadi pooram festival and a Navaratri festival. For Sattainathar, there is a midnight pooja every Friday. For Thirugnanasambandar, apart from the daily pooja, 'Thai Amavasai', 'Vaikasi Moolam', 'Aani Rohini', 'Aippasi Sadayam' are important days.
S.Sowmya
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